aCivilian – Invention

Given that Phil Critten’s persona seemingly hovers somewhere between Mother Theresa and a Norfolkian Jack Kerouac, it’s little wonder that his unpredictable creation aCivilian is similarly difficult to pin down, exhibiting hints of wilfully-obtuse indie rock, ska, grunge and even an odd take on Afro-Caribbean punk in The Madness in Everyone that brings back fond memories of London upstarts King Prawn, and delivering them all with philanthropic good will and streaks of maniacally-grinning humour.

Invention could best be termed a schizophrenically charming record, never staying in a single genre for longer than necessary and shifting production to meet the mood. It’s the reason that the mournful dreamland of The Same Hands lights up with twinkling xylophone and soft flutters of horn while the deranged Call the Police is grimly steeped in skulking stop-start guitars and a bass that hints at something murderous hiding amidst the carnival melodies. Often confusing, occasionally disturbing and completely brilliant.